HARRIS COUNTY, Texas – Six people escaped a house fire safely Saturday morning -- thanks to a 9-year-old girl.
The fire was reported at 1:30 a.m. in the 2400 block of Treadslow Road in northwest Harris County.
Fire investigators believe lightning caused an outlet to spark and blow up a plugged-in IPhone charger.
The eldest child, Darlin Mendoza, said he was on FaceTime when the charger exploded.
“My charger kind of exploded and then my phone just flew out my hand. My brother was still using the restroom and he said he got shocked too,” Mendoza said.
Mendoza said after he felt the shock the flames didn’t ignite right away.
Later in the night, Mendoza’s 9-year-old sister heard the fire alarm and smelled smoke while everyone was asleep, he said.
“She woke me up. I got up real quick (and) I took everybody out the house. I dialed 911 real quick,” he said.
Everyone was able to get out of the house without injuries, officials said.
Firefighters said the family is getting some help from the American Red Cross in northwest Harris County.